The price of tomatoes in the Indian capital has jumped 44 per cent in the last one month to Rs 46 per kg with supply being disrupted due to heat wave and lower production in South India. According to data available on the website of the Department of Consumer Affairs, tomato prices in Delhi have risen to Rs 46 per kg as on Wednesday from Rs 32 per kg on May 16.
However, the rate in Mother Dairy stores is currently ruling at Rs 62 per kg for normal tomatoes. Local vegetable vendors are selling the kitchen staple at around Rs 60 per kg. Traders attributed the increase in prices to crop failure in South India. Tomatoes from North India got diverted to the south, affecting supplies in the Delhi region, they added. The prices are expected to ease only after 10-15 days, traders said.
Rates in Mumbai have increased to Rs 72 per kg on June 15 from Rs 63 on May 15, while prices of tomatoes in Kolkata are almost flat at Rs 82 per kg. In Chennai, the prices have dropped to Rs 58 from Rs 73 per kg.
As per the data, the average prices of tomatoes across major cities of the country have risen to Rs 53.32 per kg on June 15 from Rs 42.03 on May 16.
[ Rs 100 = €1.20 ]
Source: businessworld.in